By Larry Vaught
(LEXINGTON, Ky.)-Kentucky coach Mark Pope has talked a lot about the “competitive spirit” his team has and that should be on display Friday when the Cats host preseason No. 1 Purdue in an exhibition game.
Pope obviously believes that Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen has a lot of special qualities but absolutely loves his fight.
“Just a pure competitive spirit, which kind of our whole team feels like they’re embodying right now. This love of competition, a fearlessness about the way he competes, that he’s willing to step on the floor,” Pope said. “He’s not scared of taking an L (loss), but he is going to fight you to the death to win everything.
“If we put him out there and play Tiddlywinks or do a game of Uno, I think our guys would lose their minds. We had a bunch of guys over to the house, playing Bank, nonsensical dice game, where you decide when you’re going to save your numbers. It got so competitive that one of my assistant coaches broke my dining room chair.”
Pope said Aberdeen is the catalyst for the team’s spirit.
“Denzel is the embodiment of this joy and passion to compete. I think everywhere he’s gone in his career I think he’s left fans incredibly inspired,” the Kentucky coach said. “Certainly he’s going to do it at the University of Kentucky. It’s contagious with our guys. Certainly he’s going to be loved by BBN.”
(Vicky Graff Photo)
